Allah Nawaz Khan
Electricity prices have increased a lot and are likely to increase further. Various types of taxes have been imposed, putting an immense burden on consumers. What has been further oppressed is that units are divided into slabs and heavy electricity bills are sent. In addition to increasing the base tariff of electricity, money is also being collected from consumers every month in the form of fuel adjustment surcharge. Expensive electricity has taken the toll on the poor. There are many reasons why electricity is being made expensive. Electricity generation from expensive sources has also increased prices and expensive agreements made with IPPs (Independent Power Producers) are also making electricity expensive. Due to these agreements, the government has to pay IPPs despite not consuming electricity. It has to pay for this electricity, which the government has not used and this is called capacity payment. Consumers also have to pay this capacity payment.
Agreements with IPPs started during Benazir Bhutto’s era and after Governments have also continued to enter into agreements and the people are suffering the consequences of these agreements. Private power generating companies are collecting huge capital from the Pakistani people. It is a matter of thought that why were such agreements made for the electricity that the government is not using, but is being paid for? If such agreements have been made in the past, why are they not being reviewed? What is the obstacle that prevents such cruel agreements from being fulfilled? IPPs are providing less electricity but receiving more profits. One reason for the increase in electricity prices is also said to be that the fuel used to generate electricity has become expensive. Electricity is generated in Pakistan from various sources. In addition to generating electricity through water from the government-run WAPDA dams, more electricity is generated from IPPs (Independent Power Producers). Apart from water, electricity is also generated through oil, gas and coal. When the price of oil increases in the global market, electricity is made expensive here. Electricity prices are also rising due to inflation. Private companies also charge the price of electricity that has not been used. Imagine that something has not been purchased, but it is being paid for and this is called capacity surcharge. The burden of capacity surcharge is also placed on the consumers.
Consumers are burdened by imposing various types of surcharges, but consumers also have to make other payments. In addition to line losses and stolen electricity, consumers also have to pay for free electricity. The privileged class is enjoying many privileges and is being further rewarded by giving thousands of more units of free electricity. Where electricity is being stolen, why is it not stopped or where electricity is being wasted, why is it not managed? Why is it not recovered from those who are using free electricity? According to a report, only WAPDA employees use electricity worth billions of rupees and consumers have to pay for it. Apart from WAPDA, people from other institutions also use electricity worth trillions of rupees and the poor are forced to pay for them. Many other types of taxes or surcharges are also collected. Now the government has waived off TV fees, earlier TV fees were also collected. Even now, if you look at the bill, you will see many types of taxes. A consumer is forced to think about what types of taxes are being collected from me? For example, consumers are forced to pay in the name of rent, service and other taxes. In case of non-payment by the due date, a fine also has to be paid.
We should think about the common people, how can they be given relief? Instead of expensive fuel, electricity can be generated from cheap fuel. Electricity should be generated from cheap fuel. No one should be given free electricity, but everyone, including the President, should be charged for electricity. Some people conspire with WAPDA employees to steal electricity. In addition to those involved in electricity theft, strict legal action should be taken against employees who facilitate electricity theft. IMF conditions also cause electricity to become expensive, they should also be got rid of. Pakistan can buy gas or oil from those countries, which are selling it at cheap prices, thus cheap fuel can make electricity cheaper. Expensive electricity is affecting every sector. In today’s era, it has become difficult to live without electricity. Almost all the machinery used in homes is dependent on electricity. For example, various types of machinery including fans, water motors, and irons, etc. It works through electricity. Now most of the bills are becoming unaffordable for the people. An ordinary consumer has become unable to pay the electricity bill. It has become difficult for a poor family to pay the electricity bill of thousands of rupees. Many poor people are seen paying the electricity bill by ignoring many needs, including their treatment. Many people take loans to pay the electricity bill or are forced to sell valuables. The rulers had announced to provide free electricity from 200 to 300 units, (although the people did not take these announcements seriously), but now it has become very expensive. The government will have to make such policies that can provide cheap electricity to the Pakistani nation. It is a great tragedy that on the one hand, thousands of units are given free and on the other hand, an ordinary consumer has to pay the electricity bill in any case, otherwise he may be punished. Sometimes, if for some reason an ordinary consumer is unable to pay the electricity bill, his connection is disconnected and the meter is also The WAPDA people take it away. The Pakistani nation is stuck in many problems. In order to have mercy on this nation, at least electricity should be made cheaper.
The writer can be reached at allahnawazk012@gmail.com
